Health Benefits of Basil

The health benefits of Basil can be attributed to the many vitamins, nutrients, flavonoids and antioxidants present in the herb. Basil one of the most popular cooking herbs and can also be used as an essential oil.

About Basil

Basil is an aromatic, versatile, easy to grow, culinary herb common to a range of cuisines including Italian, French, Thai and Vietnamese. Basil varieties include sweet, holy, lemon, anise and cinnamon. It can be chopped and added to dishes, ideally toward the end of hot dishes as the leaves will wilt quickly, made into a Pesto sauce, added fresh to salads or as a garnish.

As a common garden herb, Basil thrives in warm, dry weather. The plant will flower and bloom throughout the season; pinching the buds off will enable the plant to continue to grow. Basil is best used fresh, but can be dried at the end of the season.

In addition, Basil can be made into a highly effective essential oil, inhaled, infused or massaged into the skin.

Properties

The health benefits of Basil can be attributed to the many healing components present in the herb.

• Flavonoids - Basil is rich in flavonoids, which come from flavones or tricyclic aromatic compounds. Two major flavonoids present in Basil are orientin and vicein, which help protect cells and chromosomes from damage such as that from radiation.


• Nutrients - Basil is also loaded with vitamins and nutrients such as Vitamins A and C as well as other antioxidants responsible for fighting free radicals that can result in disease, premature signs of aging and even cancer. Other healing agents include magnesium, iron, calcium and potassium.


• Antibiotic - Basil also has anti-bacterial properties associated with its volatile oils estrgole, linalool, cineole, myrcene, eugenol and limonene. The herb has shown no signs of bacteria resistance, a growing concern related to the decreased efficacy associated with certain anti-biotic drugs; it can effectively fight against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, E.coil and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Basil promotes heart health by decreasing the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood stream and improving circulation. Magnesium, which helps relax smooth muscles such as the heart and lung, can also help with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD and emphysema.

Basil's Useful Forms

Essential oil made from Basil leaves can be inhaled or used as a topical agent. The health benefits of Basil oil can be attributed to significant levels of Eugenol present in the oil. Eugenol works by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), the same enzyme blocked by popular over-the-counter NSAID pain medications such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin; it is an effective treatment for rheumatoid diseases, arthritis and bowel conditions.

Basil oil can help with skin ailments such as acne, eczema and psoriasis as well as infections such as colds, bronchitis, flu and sinusitis. In addition, as an aromatherapy agent, the oil can be inhaled to decrease stress, migraines and depression and increase mental strength, clarity and calmness.

Basil can be infused to make a tea ideal for digestive issues such as constipation, cramps, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.

Precautions

Basil is completely safe and has no known toxicity, interactions or precautions.

Summary

The wide-range of health benefits of Basil are impressive. Basil can be used as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent; it supports heart health by lowering cholesterol, decreases pain, soothes and heals skin irritation and effectively fights against infections. Basil is not only versatile in its healing properties, but also as a popular culinary herb.

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